The Age of Fable eBook

him. And this will be punishment enough.”
“I will do this gladly,” said the man
in the bag. “And gladly will I accept it,”
said Pwyll, “since it is the counsel of Heveydd
and Rhiannon. Seek thyself sureties.”
“We will be for him,” said Heveydd, “until
his men be free to answer for him.” And
upon this he was let out of the bag, and his liegemen
were liberated. “Verily, lord,” said
Gawl, “I am greatly hurt, and I have many bruises.
With thy leave, I will go forth. I will leave
nobles in my stead to answer for me in all that thou
shalt require.” “Willingly,”
said Pwyll, “mayest thou do this.”
So Gawl went to his own possessions.

And the hall was set in order for Pwyll and the men
of his host, and for them also of the palace, and
they went to the tables and sat down. And as
they had sat that time twelvemonth, so sat they that
night. And they ate and feasted, and spent the
night in mirth and tranquility. And the time
came that they should sleep, and Pwyll and Rhiannon
went to their chamber.

And next morning at break of day, “My lord,”
said Rhiannon, “arise and begin to give thy
gifts unto the minstrels. Refuse no one to-day
that may claim thy bounty.” “Thus
shall it be gladly,” said Pwyll, “both
to-day and every day while the feast shall last.”
So Pwyll arose, and he caused silence to be proclaimed,
and desired all the suitors and minstrels to show
and to point out what gifts they desired. And
this being done, the feast went on, and he denied
no one while it lasted. And when the feast was
ended, Pwyll said unto Heveydd, “My lord, with
thy permission, I will set out for Dyved to-morrow.”
“Certainly,” said Heveydd; “may Heaven
prosper thee! Fix also a time when Rhiannon shall
follow thee.” “By Heaven,”
said Pwyll, “we will go hence together.”
“Willest thou this, lord?” said Heveydd.
“Yes, lord,” answered Pwyll.

And the next, day they set forward towards Dyved,
and journeyed to the palace of Narberth, where a feast
was made ready for them. And there came to them
great numbers of the chief men and the most noble
ladies of the land, and of these there were none to
whom Rhiannon did not give some rich gift, either
a bracelet, or a ring, or a precious stone. And
they ruled the land prosperously that year and the
next.

CHAPTER IX

BRANWEN, THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR

Bendigeid Vran, the son of Llyr, was the crowned king
of this island, and he was exalted from the crown
of London. And one afternoon he was at Harlech,
in Ardudwy, at his court; and he sat upon the rock
of Harlech, looking over the sea. And with him
were his brother, Manawyddan, the son of Llyr, and
his brothers by the mother’s side, Nissyen and
Evnissyen, and many nobles likewise, as was fitting
to see around a king. His two brothers by the
mother’s side were the sons of Euroswydd, and
one of these youths was a good youth, and of gentle
nature, and would make peace between his kindred,